ONLINE: Blades of Eternity - Chapter 74

Chapter 74: THE BATTLE BETWEEN TWO SWORDS

The air around the coliseum buzzed with raw energy as Kaelen and Eldric faced each other on the platform. Both warriors stood poised, their eyes locked in an intense gaze that mirrored the gravity of the duel ahead. The crowd fell into a hush, anticipation building like a storm ready to unleash its fury.

“Two of the people you actually have eyes in are going to face each other, who do you think will win?” Morris brother who was still seated amongst the spectators suddenly asked the military prodigy he is with.

“Technically it should be Eldric due to how well he analyzes his opponent and his decisiveness to get it done. But this is a battle of swords so anything is possible” The military prodigy said with a pensive look on his face.

Back on the platform, Eldric, the lightning user, suddenly raised his blade, which crackled with arcs of electricity, the air around him thickening with the raw power of his magic. Lightning coiled up and down his arm, his presence a storm in human form. His face remained calm, but his eyes gleamed with the thrill of battle.

Kaelen tightened his grip on the Blade of Eternity, feeling the hum of energy radiating through the ancient weapon. His body thrummed with readiness, his mind focused and sharp. This wasn’t just a duel; it was a test of his very limits.

“Here I come!”

Boom!

With a sudden crackle of electricity, Eldric charged forward, his blade slicing through the air with speed that nearly defied sight. Kaelen barely had time to react, his instincts taking over as he raised his blade to meet Eldric’s with a deafening clash. The force of the blow sent shockwaves through the platform, reverberating into the stands.

“Urgh…”

Kaelen grunted under the weight of the strike but held firm. He retaliated with a swift riposte, his blade aiming for Eldric’s side. But Eldric was already moving, his speed enhanced by his lightning magic. He disappeared in a flash of light, reappearing behind Kaelen with a deadly strike aimed at his back.

Kaelen whirled around, parrying the blow just in time, sparks flying from the collision of their blades. He could feel the pressure mounting with every strike—Eldric was faster, more precise, his magic infusing each move with lightning speed.

Sword Furry!!

But Kaelen was far from overwhelmed. With a grunt of effort, he unleashed a wave of energy from the Blade of Eternity, sending Eldric skidding back. Seizing the moment, Kaelen launched himself forward, his blade arcing in a wide sweep. Eldric ducked under the swing, retaliating with a surge of lightning that Kaelen barely managed to deflect with a quick barrier of energy.

“You’re good,” Eldric said, his voice calm despite the exertion. “But let’s see how you handle this!”

With a roar, Eldric thrust his hand forward, and a bolt of lightning erupted from his palm, crackling towards Kaelen like a hungry serpent. Kaelen had no time to think—he sidestepped, the lightning bolt missing him by inches as it scorched the ground where he had just stood.

Kaelen’s heart pounded in his chest, his breath coming fast. Eldric wasn’t giving him any room to breathe. But Kaelen wasn’t finished yet.

Summoning his mana, Kaelen’s blade began to glow, a brilliant light emanating from the Blade of Eternity. He raised it high above his head and shouted, “Sword Rain!”

The sky above the platform darkened as Kaelen’s magic took form. Thousands of glowing swords materialized in the air, shimmering like stars, before raining down upon Eldric with incredible force. Eldric’s eyes widened, and he dashed to the side, his lightning magic crackling as he tried to dodge the onslaught. He managed to evade many of the swords, but some found their mark, leaving shallow cuts along his arms and legs.

Eldric retaliated with a furious cry, summoning a vortex of lightning that swirled around him like a tempest. The platform itself trembled under the sheer force of his magic. He pointed his blade at Kaelen, and a massive bolt of lightning surged forward, aiming directly for his chest.

Kaelen gritted his teeth and braced himself. With a roar of his own, he infused the Blade of Eternity with all the power he could muster, creating a shield of energy just in time to block the incoming attack. The collision of forces was blinding, the light from the lightning and the energy from Kaelen’s sword clashing in a brilliant explosion.

The impact threw both of them backward, but Kaelen held his ground, digging his feet into the platform. He could feel his muscles screaming from the exertion, his mana reserves dwindling rapidly. But he wasn’t about to give up.

‘I don’t think it’s allowed to use potions during battle in this tournament’ Kaelen thought grimly.

Eldric stumbled to his feet, panting heavily, but his eyes were still alight with determination. “Not bad, Kaelen,” he said through labored breaths. “But I’m not done yet!”

Kaelen wiped the sweat from his brow, his own breath coming in ragged gasps. His body was exhausted, his mind frayed, but deep inside, he felt a surge of unyielding resolve. He couldn’t let this end in defeat—not after everything he’d fought for.

With a final burst of energy, Kaelen charged forward, his blade glowing with the last remnants of his power. Eldric met him head-on, their blades clashing once more in a shower of sparks. The force of their collision sent another shockwave through the coliseum, but neither of them backed down.

Kaelen gritted his teeth, pushing against Eldric with every ounce of strength he had left. For a moment, it seemed as if Eldric would overpower him, but then Kaelen’s eyes blazed with determination. With a roar, he twisted his blade, breaking Eldric’s defense and slamming the flat of his sword against Eldric’s side, sending him crashing to the ground.

Eldric groaned in pain, his lightning flickering out as his mana finally gave out. He tried to rise, but his body refused to respond. Kaelen stood over him, panting heavily, his blade still glowing faintly in his hand.

‘I won…’ Kaelen finally thought weakly as a smile crept up on his worn out face. At this moment, their were loud cheers coming from the spectator stands who were observing Kaelen’s fight. But Kaelen didn’t notice this since he was too tired to do so.

As he looked down at Eldric, who had finally passed out from exhaustion, Kaelen allowed himself a small, tired smile. He had won—not just through skill, but through sheer determination and willpower.

With a heavy sigh, Kaelen lowered his blade, his body aching from head to toe. He had done it. He had pushed himself to the very edge, and he had come out victorious.

But even as the crowd cheered his name, Kaelen knew that this was only the beginning. The tournament was far from over, and there were still many battles yet to come.

As the roaring cheers of the crowd slowly faded into the background, Kaelen stood at the center of the platform, trying to steady his breathing. His body ached, exhaustion weighing him down like a heavy cloak after his intense duel with Eldric. He stumbled slightly, but before he could fall, Morris was there, rushing to his side.

“Easy, Kaelen,” Morris said, gently guiding him toward the edge of the platform. “You need to rest up.”

Kaelen, still panting, nodded and allowed Morris to help him sit down on the smooth stone surface. The coolness of the platform beneath him was a welcome relief as he closed his eyes, trying to regain his strength.

Morris knelt beside him, offering him a canteen of water. “You really pushed yourself to the limit back there,” he said with a faint smile. “That Sword Furry technique of yours… impressive.”

Kaelen took a slow sip of the water, savoring the refreshing sensation. “Thanks,” he said hoarsely. “But Eldric wasn’t an easy opponent. I wasn’t sure if I could pull it off.”

Morris chuckled lightly. “Well, you did. You’ve earned this so rest. Just take it easy.”

Kaelen nodded in gratitude, his eyelids heavy as he let the tension in his body ease. He leaned back slightly, his gaze lifting to the screen hovering above the platform. The large screen flickered, the previous battle statistics disappearing as new information began to materialize in glowing letters and numbers.

Morris glanced up at the screen as well, his expression shifting from one of concern for Kaelen to mild surprise. The screen now displayed the final matchup for this stage:

“Morris vs. Guinevere”

Morris sighed softly, his eyes narrowing in thought as he read his name alongside Guinevere’s. He looked over at Kaelen, who had opened his eyes again to stare at the screen.

“Looks like it’s my turn again,” Morris said, standing up and cracking his knuckles. “Facing Guinevere, huh?”

Kaelen gave him a knowing smile. “Don’t underestimate her,” he said, his voice still slightly raspy. “She’s tough. But I’m sure you’ve got this.”

Morris nodded, his gaze shifting across the platform toward the other side, where Guinevere was already making her way onto the stage after dropping the passed out Eldric at the edge of platform. The fiery aura that surrounded her was unmistakable, her crimson hair trailing behind her like a blazing inferno. She looked calm, composed—yet her eyes burned with intensity and focus.

The crowd began to murmur in excitement as they sensed the tension building between the two powerful mages. Morris took a deep breath, his mind already preparing for the challenge ahead. Though his duel with Eldric had taken much out of him earlier, the platform’s rejuvenating magic had restored his stamina and mana reserves. He was ready to give it his all once more.

As Morris stood tall, Kaelen gave him a nod of encouragement from the sidelines. “Good luck, Morris.”

Morris shot him a confident grin. “I won’t need luck,” he said, his voice filled with determination. “Just skill.”

And with that, Morris stepped forward, ready to face Guinevere in what was sure to be another fierce battle.